gosselin: Agents: Watch What You Say! - 07/11/08 04:49 PM
Most recently, Jesse Jackson was caught saying something he shouldn't have about Barack Obama. This was one of those 'caught off guard opportunities' that the media eats up. What's interesting about this story that nothing of what Jackson said was during the interview. It was all caught on tape before it. … (4 comments)
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gosselin: 45 Ways To Save Money - 07/09/08 04:07 PM
I absolutely have to recommend a book that I read a few years ago called Small Change by Larry Terkell. The book is how doing the little things in life add up to big results. It's the idea of the piggy bank. You're thinking, what can a few pennies and some … (4 comments)
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gosselin: Recycled 747 Plane Becomes House - 06/30/08 08:14 AM
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Just as I was sitting back in my office and checking out some of the newest real estate news and winding down for the weekend, I came across a Yahoo video about a new home being built in California. Francie Rehwald has a dream that is … (3 comments)
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gosselin: Real Estate Agent In A Box, Brian Buffini May Be A Waste Of Your Money - 06/19/08 12:12 PM
There is a common myth in the real estate world. The myth seems to work this way; If I do things the same way as everyone else, I will be fine. This is why you can Google real estate education and find thousands of courses that will supposedly make you millions … (49 comments)
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gosselin: David Davis Shows Us Marketing At Its Best - 06/13/08 07:55 AM
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One of the monthly features on the new Xpressdocs' Blog (launching July 7th) will be called Blips and Blunders. It's a section that will feature the best and well, the not so best of real estate marketing. Here's a taste of what to expect from this … (0 comments)
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gosselin: Create Content That Your Audience Will Actually Read - 06/11/08 02:33 PM
“It's no longer just enough for people to believe that your product (your services) does what it says on the label. They want to believe in you and what you do. And they'll go elsewhere if they don't.” ~Hugh Macleod
One of the biggest issues surrounding real estate marketing these days … (4 comments)
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gosselin: When It Is Okay To Lose A Client - 06/09/08 09:42 AM
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I love reading the newspapers and online news sources to discover the new real estate deals out there in the marketplace. Everything from an Orlando developer giving away Mini Coopers to buyers to this buy one, get one free deal in California. Developers are pulling out … (1 comments)
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gosselin: Going On A Real Estate Road Show - 06/04/08 11:37 AM
After finishing a whirlwind tour of real estate conferences and events I am happy to report that my busy real estate travel season has come to an end. My travels have brought me from one end of the country to the other; from Boston to New York City to Las Vegas … (2 comments)
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gosselin: Viral Video Finds Its Place In Marketing for Century 21 - 05/19/08 08:30 PM
A few posts ago I wrote about Mike Lefebvre, a real estate agent who shows promising results as a real estate agent and a unique ability to offer his clients an edge in the marketplace. In the post I also correctly predicted Mike's winning video.
I am very pleased to inform … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Aren't We All Storytellers? - 05/13/08 04:23 PM
We forget sometimes that we are all storytellers. Even the products we are selling (your houses) tell stories. It's human nature to feel at ease when we listen to story. There is nothing better then when Evan, my 18-month-old son, grabs a book and turns around and backs up which is … (3 comments)
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gosselin: When A New Agent Finds Himself - 04/21/08 01:05 PM
In a manner of speaking, Mike Lefebvre has found himself. A short six months ago Mike entered into a very fickle real estate industry as a rookie real estate agent. I’m certain that some of his colleagues, family and friends told him he was crazy for entering an industry that was … (23 comments)
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gosselin: My Blue Goose Visits With Trulia - 03/18/08 02:08 PM
I enjoyed talking with the folks at Trulila (Trulia.com) at this year's Prudential Conference in New Orleans. Visit Trulia's blogto read about their presence at this conference.
More information coming in future blog posts about what Trulia can do to make you a standout agent.
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… (2 comments)
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gosselin: Talk To The Shakers - 03/13/08 08:56 AM
I was getting my haircut the other day (there is much less to cut then there used to be) and a real estate agent walked in the door. They knew who she was because she gets her haircut at the same place. She spent a minute or two talking to each … (2 comments)
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gosselin: If You're At One Of These Events, Get My Book For Free! - 03/12/08 06:23 PM
Tis the season for real estate conferences! If you find yourself at the one or both of the following events, be sure to stop by the Xpressdocs booth and ask for me. Mention you saw me on Active Rain and I will get you a free copy of my book My … (1 comments)
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gosselin: The Information On Your Direct Mail Postcard - 03/12/08 12:29 PM
There is some confusion floating around the real estate industry about the definition of value as it relates to direct mail pieces. Should you send recipe cards? Should you partner with local companies to provide retail discounts? Should you stick with sending out market statistics and only marketing statistics? Here are … (20 comments)
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gosselin: Are You Yelling At Me? - 03/10/08 02:13 PM
I grew up in a small town just outside Burlington Vermont where my Uncle was the Mayor, I knew the postman by his first name, I could tell you the names of most every person on the fire department and my 5th grade teacher taught not only myself and my 3 … (26 comments)
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gosselin: What Is Your Mean Green Machine? - 03/07/08 11:34 AM
Xpressdocs has announced its aggressive green initiative, making it one of the first real estate partners to do so. As real estate’s leading print on-demand technology company it understands the importance of creating a business environment that is both energy efficient and eco-friendly. While the plan incorporates recycled papers and environmentally … (2 comments)
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gosselin: Social Marketing Stages of Intimacy - 03/03/08 12:34 PM
If you ask any serious marketer, they will tell you that real estate marketing is just as much about basic human psychology as it is about designing an advertisement. Of the many types of human psychology, social marketing is defining the way in which we conduct our business.
Social Marketing has … (0 comments)
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gosselin: Do Your Socks Match Your Marketing? - 02/25/08 08:37 AM
The year was 2002 in San Francisco, CA when four friends realized that the world was facing a crisis. People were wearing the same socks; white, black and gray. Most people stick to these colors simply because they know they eventually lose one.
So the Little Mismatched Company was formed. With … (7 comments)
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gosselin: Why A Bag of Chips Cost Me $2,000 - 02/22/08 04:24 PM
Author’s note: Hang in there, this does relate to real estate.
I have a passion for chips. Not just any potato chips. I’m on a quest to find the crunchiest chip and I think I found it. After devouring my first chip in the bag I felt a small piece of … (42 comments)
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gosselin: Direct Mail Idea #11: Never Forget A Call To Action - 02/19/08 12:03 PM
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Keeping your targets from saying “So What?” after they finish reading one of your postcards is easy. Give them something to do. As important as it is to include your phone number, website and email address, give them something to do if they are truly interested in … (10 comments)
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gosselin: If Disney Appeals To All Senses, Why Can't We? - 02/17/08 10:01 AM
As I've strolled around the Disney parks these past few days I am reminded of my initial Traditions training when I was a Disney Cast Member. Traditions is a 2-day training that every one goes through whether you are sweeping floors or are the Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. In … (3 comments)
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gosselin: What’s My Product? - 02/11/08 10:01 AM
I’ve heard it a million times. “You are real estate agents, and you sell houses.” That is a very easy statement for someone to make when they are outside of the real estate industry.
Is that true? Do we sell houses? Yes, our ultimate objective is to match someone up … (1 comments)
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gosselin: Tips For Taking Outstanding Home Photos - 01/31/08 11:29 AM
As someone who sees literally thousands of property postcards each month, I am always surprised at how many of these cards show a photo with extensive flaws.
Here are some tips to print out and bring with you as a reminder when taking photos of homes.
Always save the original … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Creativity and The Best of ‘08 Super Bowl Ads - 01/30/08 04:02 PM
Creative inspiration for your real estate business comes in many forms from a variety of sources. This year’s Super Bowl ads are no exception.
In all likelihood you will probably never use television to advertise your services as a real estate agent but some of you may. For those … (29 comments)
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gosselin: The Math of Marketing Harmony - 01/22/08 09:30 PM
There are big brands like Disney, Coke, Wal-Mart. Then there are small brands which is the same category you as individual real estate agents fall in.
Large or small, everyone is after the same thing. It’s called marketing harmony. It is the pinnacle that a company reaches when everything just … (20 comments)
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gosselin: A Look At The Industry In 2010 - 01/02/08 10:49 PM
There I sat in a classroom full of fourth graders all given the task to write what the year 2000 would look like. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I scratched down flying cars, smell-o-vision, fingerprint scans on doors; I had it all.
It amazes me to see how many … (3 comments)
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gosselin: Social Marketing Distractions - 01/02/08 09:18 AM
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, Pownce, Dopplr, Jaiku, Yelp, Plaxo, iLike, VodPod, Mahalo, Satisfation, Seesmic, YouTube, Google Video, Digg, Technorati, Reddit, del.ico.us, StumbleUpon, Furl, Spock…this list could go on for days. Web 2.0 has given everyone and anyone a reason to make a social website service.
Social marketing and the importance of … (4 comments)
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gosselin: No More Excuses - 01/01/08 08:01 PM
I had a professor in college who’s email used to be noexcuses@aol.com. He didn’t want to hear them. None at all. If you didn’t do something that was your fault. “Own that fault” he sometimes said.
I hear a lot of excuses from agents when I am on the road. … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Change Your Packaging - 12/31/07 02:15 PM
Pancakes have been around, seemingly, forever. So how could they ever get any better?
For one, the packaging could change. Pancakes are commonly a weekend food because of the length in time of preparation, unless of course you are fine with the frozen pancake thing.
One company has created a new … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Change Is Good, Goodbye 2007 - 12/27/07 03:15 PM
Author’s Note: This is my last post until 2008. I’m astonished and overwhelmed with the attention that my book, My Blue Goose and my blog, Blog of Geese have received since launching. Thank you to each and everyone of you who have read, commented, forwarded and linked my blog posts.
… (0 comments)
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gosselin: Peas. Twitter. Cancer. - 12/20/07 08:06 PM
Peas. Twitter. Cancer. These three seemingly unrelated items have been brought together in an act of courage and zest by Susan Reynolds. Together they hold a powerful and valuable mission: to bring awareness to breast cancer and to raise money for research.
Susan has captured the power of the Twitter community … (1 comments)
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gosselin: Two Words For Agents To Focus On in ‘08 - 12/20/07 01:06 PM
Hyperlocal. Def. Not just local but excessively local in subject.
Think of this word when you are planning for your blog and your website. Notice blog came before website in that sentence. There are some great blogs out there that concentrate on subjects that are very local to the area … (3 comments)
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gosselin: Direct Mail Idea #10: Make Your Mailing Lists Interest-Specific - 12/17/07 09:52 AM
The greatest asset you have in companies like Xpressdocs who allow you to order small numbers of quality, direct mail pieces is that you can target a very select group with special interests. You are only able to take advantage of this if you have your mailings lists sorted accordingly.
… (0 comments)
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gosselin: What is this video blogging thing all about anyway? - 12/13/07 05:43 PM
I will answer this question and more in the next series of blogs, Video Blogging The REAL Way.
… (4 comments)
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gosselin: Let's Put Being P.C. Aside This Christmas - 12/11/07 05:18 PM
After lunch with a colleague and some clients I was told I should be more careful about wishing people a Merry Christmas just in case they weren't Christian. Then I ran past an article from Ben Stein. Most of you know Ben. He was a speechwriter and lawyer for … (4 comments)
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gosselin: The Holidays Hit Yankee Candle Where It Hurts - 12/10/07 02:56 PM
On Yankee Candle's website they have a disclaimer that due to their high volume of orders this year they will be unable to process more orders on time to get to the destination before Christmas. This was posted a week ago. It amazes that a company like this can make … (9 comments)
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gosselin: Direct Mail Idea #9: Provide As Much Information As Possible - 12/05/07 07:36 AM
I’ve heard about 200 agents this year alone tell me that they will never give out the address or price of a home on their property marketing. Their rationale is that if they do, there is no reason for a homeowner to go to them directly if they are interested.
… (1 comments)
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gosselin: Direct Mail Idea #7: Be consistent - 12/03/07 12:57 PM
If you aren’t mailing out to your blue list at least six times a year, don’t bother. Phyllis Peznik, Director of Sales for a NYC real estate company says that the secret to real estate success is “constant contact with the buyer and seller.”
Why? A Mayflower Transit study tells … (4 comments)
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gosselin: Tell Me About Your Company - 11/26/07 08:40 AM
After walking into a Dunkin Donuts in Quincy, MA I asked my barista if she knew where the first Dunkin Donuts opened up. Truth be told, I already knew the answer but she did not. While making my iced caramel latte, she asked a couple other people who also weren’t sure … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Direct Mail Idea #1 - 10/10/07 09:47 AM
Direct mail has become the standout element in the successful real estate professional’s business. According to the Direct Mail Association, direct mail spending min 2007 will pass $161 billion in U.S. spending making it one of the top mediums used by companies in the country.
Besides purchasing the right kinds of … (3 comments)
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gosselin: Websites: If You Build It Will They Come? - 10/01/07 08:26 AM
Excerpt From My Blue Goose Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing
As promised, the following link will bring you to an excerpt from my book My Blue Goose about building your real estate website.
Remember, for a limited time shipping is free for all pre-orders.
The book is … (5 comments)
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gosselin: Come See Me At The NAR Conference in Vegas - 09/29/07 08:25 AM
I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be attending the NAR Conference in Las Vegas from Nov. 13-16. Be sure to stop by the Xpressdocs booth to say hi and to get a copy of my book, My Blue Goose, Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing. … (4 comments)
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gosselin: 5 Ways To Beat Up Your Homeowner (with good service) - 09/27/07 08:47 PM
5 Ways To Beat Up Your Homeowner (with good service)
Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose
MyBlueGoose.com
Let’s face it. Homeowners can be disgruntled. Especially in markets when homes don’t sell as fast as they used to. Many of them will assume that the problem is with their real estate agent. Some … (1 comments)
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gosselin: The End Is Near: 100 Days - 09/18/07 07:59 AM
Author's Note: This won't post on my own blog blogofgeese.com for a few more days. I thought I would give Active Rainers a chance to see it first. Enjoy.By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose-www.MyBlueGoose.com-Only 100 days until the end of the year. There is no better time to … (0 comments)
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gosselin: Hopeless In Times Square - 09/18/07 07:44 AM
Hopeless In Times Square
By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose
I’m sitting here eating breakfast and staring out into Times Square. Once you get past the initial awe of the street, the commotion and the billboards, it is easy as an advertiser, to feel a sense of hopelessness. Sean John, … (1 comments)
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gosselin: Hey Reporter! Look At Me! - 09/10/07 06:36 AM
Hey Reporter! Look At Me!
By Matthew S. Gosselin, author of My Blue Goose
In a recent interview with the Boston Globe I was able to turn the tables and ask the real estate reporter some questions. It confirmed much of what I already knew but was interesting to hear first-hand. (Since her … (4 comments)
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gosselin: Real Agents Drink Starbucks - 09/09/07 07:33 PM
This is a quick one. I am writing a new article and need your help with an analogy. Just a simple yes or no would do but feel free to comment.I love Starbucks. Although, I'm not so much of a junkie to use their lingo of tall, grande, or vente. I … (20 comments)
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gosselin: “Homeowners Brag About My Services. Here Are 7 Reasons Why.” - 09/04/07 08:23 AM
“Homeowners Brag About My Services. Here Are 7 Reasons Why.”
By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose-Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing
So much of Blue Goose marketing is about creating unique ways to present you to the public. These remarkable methods, when done correctly will result in a … (3 comments)
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gosselin: Why Brian Buffini Could Be Ripping You Off - 08/28/07 07:00 AM
Why Brian Buffini Could Be Ripping You Off
By Matthew S. Gosselin
Author of My Blue Goose, Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing
Yeah, I said it.
Out in the real estate world, agents are craving solid and innovative information. In their quest they discover the low-hanging fruit--the companies out there that want to … (12 comments)
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